November 4, 2010

“There is something special when you walk through those doors,” Nancy Laws said of the church she has been a member of since 1956.

And Sept. 12, 104 members, former pastors and visitors experienced the thrill of walking into Portersville Baptist Church to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Pastor Jimmy Clanton said this day of celebration was a “dream come true” for members who have been rebuilding the body over the past few years.

When Clanton came to the DeKalb Baptist Association church in July 2005, there were only 11 members in the congregation. Today the church averages between 55 and 70 attendees each Sunday.

“God has truly blessed our church with growth both numerically and spiritually. It was exciting to celebrate [our anniversary] together because we got to rejoice for the magnitude of God’s grace and mercy,” Clanton said.

The congregation gathered to celebrate during the morning worship service, which included a program put on by the youth and a message by Clanton, and a luncheon. A representative of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission presented the church with a plaque, honoring its century of service.